Ten years of adaptive community-governed conservation: evaluating biodiversity protection and poverty alleviation in a West African hippopotamus reserve

2010 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 270-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
DONNA J. SHEPPARD ◽  
AXEL MOEHRENSCHLAGER ◽  
JANA M. MCPHERSON ◽  
JOHN J. MASON
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Diversity ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Evaluation Framework ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Ecological Awareness ◽  
Local Livelihoods ◽  
Community Based Conservation ◽  
Management Approaches

SUMMARYCommunity-based natural resource management has been accused of failing on social, economic or ecological grounds. Balanced assessments are rare, however, particularly in West Africa. This paper examines the first 10 years of Ghana's Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary using an evaluation framework that considers socioeconomic and ecological outcomes, as well as resilience mechanisms. Building upon traditional taboos against the killing of hippopotami, this initiative has attempted to conserve an imperilled large mammal, protect biodiversity and alleviate abject poverty amidst a bush meat crisis and complex ethnic diversity. Findings show that the Sanctuary has improved local livelihoods by spurring economic diversification and infrastructure development rates 2–8 times higher than in surrounding communities. Simultaneously, threats to biodiversity have subsided, hippopotamus numbers have remained stable and the Sanctuary's riparian habitats now harbour more bird species than comparable areas nearby. Improved social capital, true empowerment, an equitable distribution of benefits, ecological awareness among children and support for the Sanctuary, even amongst community members who were disadvantaged by its creation, speak to good long-term prospects. Risks remain, some of which are beyond the community's control, but evidence of socioecological resilience suggests that capacity exists to buffer risks and foster sustainability. Lessons learnt at Wechiau translate into recommendations for the planning, implementation and evaluation of future community-based conservation initiatives, including greater interdisciplinary integration and the use of adaptive co-management approaches.

Threat reduction assessment of conventional and community-based conservation approaches to managing protected areas in Uganda

2004 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 233-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
ARTHUR R. MUGISHA ◽  
SUSAN K. JACOBSON
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Additional Data ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Based Conservation ◽  
Management Approaches

Loss of wildlife, encroachment on wild lands and conflicts between protected areas and neighbouring communities continue to threaten the integrity of protected areas (PAs) in Uganda. To increase support from local communities and ensure long-term sustainability for Uganda's PAs, a policy of community-based conservation was introduced in 1988 as a management approach in seven PAs. The effectiveness of the community-based approach for reducing threats was compared to conventional PA management by conducting a threat reduction assessment at 16 PAs, seven with community-based approaches and nine without. Additional data collected using document reviews, interviews with government officials, and surveys of PA wardens were compared with the threat reduction assessments. Twenty-three primary threats were identified at PAs. Local game poaching was the most common threat. The threat reduction assessment indices of community-based PAs (mean=49.0±12) were not significantly different from those of conventional PAs (mean=37.96±21.6). Some specific threats, such as bush burning, logging, encroachment and unclear boundaries, seemed to be better mitigated at community-based PAs. Management approaches at all PAs mitigated fewer than half of the identified threats. Management approaches are needed that directly target PA threats, go beyond PA boundaries by involving additional government departments, link people's livelihoods to conservation efforts and strengthen PA institutions.

Between Global Interests and Local Needs: Conservation and Land Reform in Namaqualand, South Africa

Africa ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tor A. Benjaminsen ◽  
Thembela Kepe ◽  
Stine Bråthen
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Land Reform ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Marginalized Communities ◽  
Land Redistribution ◽  
Local Livelihoods ◽  
Community Based Conservation ◽  
Policy Shift ◽  
The Creation

This article presents the case of the creation and expansion of Namaqua National Park in Namaqualand, South Africa, to highlight the contradictions between global interests in biodiversity conservation and local livelihoods. Despite the policy shift in the conservation literature from ‘fortress’ to community-based conservation, we argue that in practice conservation still tends to dominate when there is a trade-off between Western-style conservation and support to the livelihoods of marginalized communities. This can again be explained by the hegemony of a conservation discourse that is shared by a network of actors. The article highlights the role played by powerful environmental organizations and wealthy individuals supporting conservation at the expense of land redistribution in Namaqualand. The combination of scientific research and finances provided by this actor-network aided the creation and expansion of the Park. Local people, however, see the expansion of the Park as direct and unfair competition for land that they wish to acquire through the land redistribution programme, as well as an indirect challenge to their local livelihoods. Whatever the merits of their case, it seems clear that communities aspiring to more land, together with advocates of human rights and poverty alleviation, remain on the margins in terms of policy influence, especially when they pursue goals that are perceived by the conservation advocates to be in conflict with those of biodiversity conservation.

scholarly journals Preliminary Checklists of Birds for the Fura and Furagosa Wildlife Community Based Conservation Area, in Mirab-Abaya District, Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 04 (04) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amare Gibru ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Southern Ethiopia ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Conservation Area ◽  
Collection Method ◽  
Data Collection Method ◽  
Community Based Conservation ◽  
Bird List

The field visit was conducted at Fura and Furagosa community based wildlife conservation area in February 2021. The survey aims to prepare a primary bird checklist. Transect walk data collection method was employed. The record of bird list was presented in a descriptive statics. 37 bird species were recorded during the survey time. Of the species recorded, 25 species were residents, 10 species Palearctic migrants and 2 Intra-African migrants. The survey suggests that further systematic studies of biodiversity are needed.

scholarly journals Conservation needs of the coconut crab Birgus latro on the Nicobar Islands, India

Oryx ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vardhan Patankar ◽  
Elrika D'souza
Keyword(s):  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Red List ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Based Conservation ◽  
Fragmented Distribution ◽  
Nicobar Islands ◽  
Data Deficient ◽  
Local Perspectives

AbstractWe describe the distribution of the coconut crab Birgus latro, categorized as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List, local perspectives towards the species, and its conservation needs on the Nicobar Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean. The species is threatened with extinction across most of its range and in India it is found only on a few islands in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelagoes. We carried out informal discussions with Nicobari communities to examine issues regarding conservation of the species and conducted timed searches in areas where coconut crabs were likely to be found. The discussions revealed that there are social taboos against hunting the coconut crab on most of the Nicobar Islands. However, on some islands these taboos are not being followed and community members may hunt the crab for consumption. Athough the coconut crab is legally protected under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act none of the villagers were aware of this. Of the six islands surveyed we recorded the presence of 17 and 14 crabs on two islands, respectively. On four islands villagers reported the presence of the crab prior to the tsunami of 2004, and on two of these islands the species may now be locally extinct. A small population size and a fragmented distribution in areas of coconut plantations suggest that the species is threatened. We recommend monitoring and detailed research on the ecology and genetics of the coconut crab, along with community-based conservation initiatives to conserve the species and its habitat.

scholarly journals Community livelihood activities as key determinants for community based conservation of wetlands in Uganda

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Barakagira ◽  
Anton H. de Wit
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Fuel Wood ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Community Based Conservation ◽  
National Environment ◽  
Wetland Resources ◽  
Management And Conservation

AbstractCommunity-based Conservation (CBC) has been regarded as one of the most appropriate approaches to the sustainable utilization and conservation of natural resources. Wetlands are believed to provide attributes, functions, and services that positively affect the daily livelihoods of members of the local community. Bearing in mind the incentives wetlands provide, if community members are not involved in the activities aimed at the management and conservation of wetlands then they result in being degraded. This study was initiated to explore how community livelihood activities influence CBC of wetlands in Uganda. A cross-sectional research design was used to collect qualitative and quantitative data. A questionnaire survey was conducted among four hundred households to collect information concerning community livelihood activities taking place in wetlands. Additionally, more information was obtained from National Environment Management Authority, and Wetlands Management Department staff using another non-structured questionnaire. Key informant interviews and direct observations were also used to collect data. Overall, the gathering of materials for building and crafts, fuel wood collection, clay and sand mining and practicing agriculture in wetlands are some of the reasons that have caused wetland degradation. Low levels of awareness, unclear ownership of wetlands and inadequate funding has not enabled Agencies responsible for implementing the Policies and Laws aimed for protecting and conserving wetlands from being degraded. Therefore, these above mentioned problems must be addressed in order for wetland resources to be sustainably utilized and conserved by members of the local community.

scholarly journals Community-based conservation through stakeholder collaboration in the Essential Ecosystem Area (EEA) of Kao, North Halmahera Regency

2021 ◽  
Vol 886 (1) ◽  
pp. 012026
Author(s):  
Radios Simanjuntak ◽  
Benny Aladin Siregar ◽  
Fiktor Imanuel Boleu
Keyword(s):  
Mangrove Forest ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Mangrove Forests ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Mangrove Species ◽  
Stakeholder Collaboration ◽  
The North ◽  
Community Based Conservation ◽  
The Government

Abstract Mangrove forest in Kao Village, North Halmahera Regency, North Maluku Province, is a Key Biodiversity Area. Since 2017, the community has been protecting mangrove forests through Kao Village Regulation No.03/2007. In 2020, through the collaboration between stakeholders from universities, NGOs and the government, the Kao mangrove forest area of 300.92 Ha was designated as an Essential Ecosystem Area (EEA) based on the North Halmahera Regent Decree No.078/102/HU/2020. This study describes the biodiversity and the community-based conservation through stakeholder collaboration in the EEA of Kao. The study found that there are 13 mangrove species and 56 bird species, of which 10 are protected species. In 2020, the community has built a mangrove nursery and rehabilitated 8 ha of degraded mangrove forest with the participation of about 70 people. Since the establishment of EEA, the community has stopped hunting for eggs of the endemic moluccan scrubfowl (Eulipoa wallacei) and is trying to increase its population through semi-natural hatching on the beach. The community has also learned to use non-timber mangrove forest products and ecotourism through the support of stakeholders.

Community-Based Interventions to Reduce Child Maltreatment

2021 ◽  
pp. 104973152098696
Author(s):  
Camilla Kin-Ming Lo ◽  
Yuet Wing Cho
Keyword(s):  
Child Maltreatment ◽  
Hybrid Approach ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Protective Services ◽  
Community Based Interventions ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Institutions ◽  
Core Components ◽  
Further Development

Purpose: This review seeks to summarize selected literature on existing findings on the impacts of community-based interventions on the actual reduction of child maltreatment and to identify the core components of the interventions. Methods: This study systematically searched electronic databases, including PsycInfo, Medline, and Web of Science. The findings of the selected studies were summarized using narrative synthesis. Results: A total of four studies met the inclusion criteria of this study. The studies showed declines in child maltreatment incidences reported by child protective services and hospitals during the study periods. Four major components and approaches were identified among the selected interventions, including (1) the involvement of community members, (2) partnerships with community institutions, (3) multidisciplinary collaboration, and (4) responsiveness to the needs of the communities involved. Conclusions: The results of this review support the need for further development of community-based interventions using a hybrid approach.

scholarly journals Costs of elephant crop depredation exceed the benefits of trophy hunting in a community‐based conservation area of Namibia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. Drake ◽  
Jonathan Salerno ◽  
Ryan E. Langendorf ◽  
Lin Cassidy ◽  
Andrea E. Gaughan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Based ◽  
Conservation Area ◽  
Trophy Hunting ◽  
Community Based Conservation
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